Tems has solidified her place on the global music stage by winning the Best African Music Performance Grammy for her hit Love Me Jeje, becoming the first Nigerian artist to secure two Grammy awards.
The victory of the Nigerian artist at Sunday’s ceremony in Los Angeles saw her triumph over strong contenders like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Yemi Alade. The award, introduced in 2023, recognizes the global impact of African artists.
However, this year’s nominations sparked debate, as US singer Chris Brown was included for his Afrobeats-inspired song Sensational, featuring Davido and Lojay.
Tems, visibly emotional while accepting her award, dedicated it to her mother, whose birthday coincided with the event. “This is her first Grammys, and I just want to thank her for everything,” she said.
Love Me Jeje, which samples Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 classic, has amassed over 125 million streams on Spotify and 21 million YouTube views.
With this latest win, Tems adds to her growing legacy, having previously won the Best Melodic Rap Performance Grammy in 2023 for her feature on Future’s Wait For U. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu praised her achievement, calling it a moment of national pride.
Tems’ meteoric rise, from self-producing music in 2018 to dominating the world stage, continues to inspire a new generation of African artists.
